Printing cylinders



Aug. 25, 1959 C. w. CHASE 2,900,903

PRINTING CYLINDERS Original Filed Sept. lO, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 mi! E l f v Lf E5 N n g N INVENToR n 0 ofso/v Muff? CHASE /7 T TURA/EVS.

Aug. 25, 1959 c. w. CHASE PRNTING CYLINDERS l 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept. l0, 1948 INVENTOR Umso/v lll/ALTER ff/15E BY @raum/ #Mv-7% ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 25, 1959 c. w. CHASE PRINTING CYLINQERS original Filed sept., 10,l 1948 V5 Shee'ts-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Conso/v WALTER CHASE /ITT'ORNE YS.

Aug. 25, 1959 c. w. CHASE PRINTING CYLINDERS Original Filed Sept. lO, 1948 5v Sheets-Sheet 4 MJ RM E m6. M

R mn m W Va B uw.. WW

Aug 25, 1959 c. w. CHASE 2,900,903

` PRINTING CYLINDERS Original Filed Sept. 10, 1948 5 Sheets-sheet 5 ,"lll w /w INVENTOR f ,473 Conso/v Mura? 9H/:sf

United States Patent 0 PRINTING CYLINDERS Corson Walter Chase, Oak Park, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Miehle-Goss-Dexter, Incorporated, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Original application September 10, 1948, Serial No. 48,622, now Patent No. 2,639,668, dated May 26, 1953. Divided and this application March 4, 1953, Serial No. 340,267

20 Claims. (Cl. lOl-378) This invention relates to plate cylinders for rotary printing presses, and particularly to tension lockup plate cylinders adapted to hold printing plates by circumferentially applied tension.

The present application is a division of the co-pending joint application of the present applicant `and Kent Roger Manning, Serial No. 48,622, led September 10, 1948, and issued on May 26, 1953 as Patent No. 2,639,668. In certain respects the present invention is an improvement on the inventions disclosed and claimed in the U.S. patent to E. W. Worthington, No. 2,236,230, and the U.S. patent to Curtis S. Crafts, No. 2,428,263.

An object of the invention is to provide a plate cylinder having improved means for individually positioning or registering a plurality of printing plates disposed in generally alined relation longitudinally of the cylinder and for holding plates on the cylinder under circumferential tens-ion.

A further object is to provide a plate cylinder having means for individually registering a plurality of printing plates carried on the cylinder in longitudinally spaced, generally alined, end to end relation, together with means for resiliently applying circumferential tension to the lates.

p Another object is to provide atension lock-up plate cylinder having a registering mechanism for individually registering a plurality of longitudinally alined printing plates, the mechanism being operable from the ends of the cylinder.

AIt is a further object of the invention to provide a tension lock-up printing cylinder having a plurality of take-up hooks supported on bodily movable, resiliently biased pivots and connected toA an actuating shaft adapted to swing the hooks simultaneously into and out of tensioning relation Iwith one or more printing plates.

Further objects and advantages of invention will appear from the following description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. The description is to be taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary developed plan view showing a portion of an exemplary printing cylinder constructed in accordance with the present invention. In the View the printing plates are indicated by dot-dash lines.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail view of an assembly which forms a part of the plate cylinder shown in Fig. 1, the assembly including an actuating shaft and associated plate take-up hooks.

Figs. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views taken respectively along planes indicated by lines 3-3 and 4-4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along a plane indicated in Fig. 1 by a line 5-5.

Fig. 6 is a `fragmentary sectional' view taken along a plane indicated in Fig..1 by a line`6-`6.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the plate take-up hooks.

Fig. 8 is a sectional 'view having leftandright-haud portions taken respectively along planes indicated in Fig. l by lines 8(L.) and 8(R.).

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along a plane indicated in Fig. 8 by a line 9--9.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along a plane indicated in Fig. 5 by a line 10-10.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along a plane indicated by a line 11-11 in Fig. 5.

. Fig. 12 is a perspective View of a registering plate hook which forms a part of the plate cylinder of Fig. l.

Fig. 13 is another perspective view showing the underside of the registering hook.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a wedge member adapted to efect adjustment of the registering hook.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a cam adapted to coact with the wedge of Fig. 14.

Figs. 16 `and 17 are fragmentary transverse sectional views of a modied printing cylinder constituting a second embodiment of this invention, the views being taken along planes indicated irl-Fig. 18 by lines 16-16 and 17-17, respectively.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary longitudinal view of the modified cylinder, partly in section, and taken along the line 18-18 in Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 16 but showing the mechanism of the modified cylinder in plate releasing position.

Considered now in greater detail, the illustrative printing cylinder shown in Figs'. 1-15 of the drawings comprises an elongated cylindrical body 20 (Figs. 1 and 5), which may be a solid steel forging, provided in the usual manner at its opposite ends with a pair of end shafts` 21, by meanspof which the cylinder may be rotatably supported and driven. In this instance the cylinder is adapted to support eight printing plates 22., arranged in pairs around the cylinder and in groups of four longitudinally of the cylinder. In the conventional manner, the plates are nearly semi-cylindrical in extent. A plurality of axially alined milled recesses or pockets 24 are formed in the underside or interior surface of each plate adjacent both of its straight or longitudinal edges. The pockets are adapted to be engaged by plate hooks which may be utilized to tension the plates and. thereby secure them rmly to the cylinder.

To `facilitate installation and removal of the plates, the cylinder is provided with pairs of longitudinallyV extending guide bars 25 (Fig. 5) along which one end of each plate may slide as the plate is moved longitudinally onto the cylinder. The bars are embedded in the surface of the cylinder body 20 and project outwardly from the `surface less than the printing height of the plates 22.

Provision is made for individually registering the printing plates. This is accomplished by means of a registering mechanism including circumferentially adjustable elements for engaging the pockets 24 at one end of each plate. At the other end of each plate, provision is made for applying circumferential tension to the pockets 24 in the plate and thus clamping the plate to the cylinder so securely that dislocation of the plate will not occur during high speed rotary printing.

The mechanism for individually registering the plates 22 comprises `a plurality of registering hooks or finger bars 27 (Figs. 12 land 13) in the form of bars which are generally T-shaped in cross-section. Asillustrated, each hook bar 27 is provided with outwardly projecting hook `members or iingers 33 adapted to engage the pockets 24 in one end of one plate. The hook members 33 are formed on a radial stern portion 32 of the bar 27. The l portion 32 surmounts a base portion having `extensions hidinll recess `3525 Muntedin the recess 35 is a cam 37 havingatongue-38which-iits into. thetransverse .slot ,36I The cam surface on the camf37 is rounded as shown in Figs. 11 and 15.

The.. hoolom bars 27. areizmounted" in diametricalyfopeposite T-shaped slots 41 (Fig. .5-)` formed'in.thetcylinderf bodiyrZU; thep'hookzbarsl thuspbeing. retained :in the: cylinder against radial movement. Torfacilitate assemblygand manua'etlrreof thezcylinder, one. side of each T-slot: 41

ispreferablyformed' by. a filler piece 55, which issecurcd to., the cylinder: lbody y20 by screws. 56 and.' also Vforms part ofi the cylinder surface; In the present instance four lhoolc bars; 27-are1positioned in each.T-slot 41, two hook bars `being;provided..forreach,plate. The.Tslots mayebe',

plugged or; closedffrat intervals toV separate the groups of two hook bars provided for `the respectivezplates.. The:y

IT-slots? 41. are:Y made: sucientlywide.` to,V permit substantial transverse.movementofthe.hookA bars27 in the slots, alonggafchord ofthe cylinder', or in other. words. imagenerally circumferential direction.` `Longitudinalfm'ovement of.-.tl1eho okV bars 27 isprevented by a plurality of generallyf radial pins; 39'v (Figs. 1.0 and 1:1) mounted. inther bottom ofeach. T--slot in position toengageqthe-.transverse slots.34 inthe .hook bars 272 The hookL bars 27 ares.

drilled lto receive coil springs 40 which abut yagainstzone side ofthe Teslot 41; and thusurge the-hook barscircumferentially4 in'vone direction.

Provision is made for moving the hook, bars 27 and thus adjusting the circumferential positions ofthe plates. For: 4thisv purpose.: a plurality of. longitudinally, movable; actuating bars or rods 44 (Figs. l0 and 11) are mounted` inta-,longitudinal grooveior recess 45a formedin the bottom yof=each1oftheT-slots 41; In the present instance;n eight ofthe-actuating; bars 44 are: providedone for eachlplate. Twotof the-bars 44- are mountedIin'side-byf side, re1ationin each end of each T-slot. Thus,reach.of. the-bars extends from one of the plates to one:end or the` other of.. the cylinder,

Camming.l means are provided toV connect` the. hook bars27 with the trespectiveactuating bars` 44lso' thatthc hookbars will be .moved circumferentially ofthe cylinder in.. response to longitudinal movement of the: actuating bars. In., the illustrated embodimenftwo camblocks or.: Wedges-45l (Figsf l1vv and, 1.4)- are mounted inclosely` iit:` tingnotchesfor. slots formed intheupper edge of each `actuatingjvar`44. The wedges45`aire disposedin the re.- cessesV 35 of the -two overlying hook bars` 27ink position` to engage lthe cam members 37 on the hook bars 27.y The vwedges react against the side Wall of the` T-slot, op-

positefromthe. cam members7.. Thus, each actuating; bar 44.is connected toa pair off adjacent` hook bars 27j,y

bothiofwhich Aengage pockets in asingle one of-theprintingplates.22;V Ateachendof the cylinder and-ineach ofthefl'fslotsll, the two-actuating barsdisposed in end'- to-endwrelation are, associated. with respective pairsY of hoolc bars 2.7. which `are adapted to engage adjacent axially. alinedplates, one. positioned atthe end ofthe cylinderwand. the otherinwardly ofthe end. It is apparent infEig. 1.1 that the ho'okbarsare floatingly mounted. on theT. slot,I Lez, they` are, not blocked against. movement',

theSpockets `intheplates against the biasing action ofthe- Y compression. springs 40.

mounting of the, hook bars. eachhookY bar. -is free vto aline.v

Because ofthe illustrated:

itselfQ-in respnsefto .the reactive force.fromthe-platein alied, position relative. to the. plate pockets. which. it

ingtzwithfi thecracloszare;respective pinions 461whichzareT 7 indieatedinfig, V8.-

4i direction will permit the springs 40 to shift the hook bars ina-reversedirection.- 0nce-the-hoolebars'fZf/'havebeenA adjusted, Wedges 45 form stops preventing the movement of `the hooks under the tension exerted by the plate in its locked or running position.

In order to provide for? selective adjustment of theI actuating rods 44,:gcar. racks 46af(Eigsv.w8 and 10) are formed on the bars along their outer end por-tions. Meshmountedl oni square-ended: operating. shafts 47 f journaled in the cylinder body1v20: Each-pinion-engageseonlyfone rac-k, asshowninFig. 11, Thepinionshafts47 may-be rotated by means of;a suitable key or` other hand'rtool'as Provision is made for locking the"` 'actuatingl rods: 44 in adjusted positions. To this end, the cylinder is provided with a plurality'offrictional locking devices, one for each set of two side-by-side actuating rods 44. Each frictional' lockingdevice5 comprises` a compressibleqdisc assembly-including a fiber `disc 49W (Fig. 8v)- sandwichedA4 between a-p`air of*metal'discs-48.Y The disc assembly` may be compressed against the adjacent actuating bars- 44 by means of az clampingscrew` 50-threaded`- into the cylinder body- 20. A2- suitable wrench may be employed5 to operate thefclampingl screwi 50.A

Provision is' madefor accurately'indicating the amount off circumferential movement imparted tothe hook bars 27; and alsoindicating thepositionsof'the booke-bars; For-this purpose the cylinder-is provided with indexing; means comprisinga` pluralityv` ofu scales 52 (Fig. 10)" mountedfadj'acent the. outer endsl of 'the respective actuatingrods'r44.' For' convenience; the scalesmay be cali-I bratedinthousand'ths-of? an-inch of circumferential-move? mentr ofthe respective'-plates'.`

Itwill" be understood that the registering mechanism just described is operative to anchor one end off eachvl plate' 22 in-apositionv which maybeindividuallyfadjustcd. Provision is'mad'e for exeningcircumferentialtension' onthe-other end of each plate-'so that the plates` will be-securelyheldgon-thefcylinder evenat very high operating; speeds. Preferably,v an individualV tensioning force is resiliently exerted at each of the pockets 24 so as to compensate for any; minor variations in the length of the plate orV inthe'l relativeL positions ofl thel pockets. The resilient meansfservingt'o' tension the plate will` take upl any elongation-whichmayoccurf in thepla'te durihgprinte ing, so as to obviate any possibilitg of the plate becomingi loosened-or disconnected from the-cylinder.

Formed on each shaft 60"-are aplurality .of spaced'- A plurality' of; take-upn pairs of li1gs762-y (Figs.y 2f-4)F; A hool's 65v are respectively p ivotcd between the lugs 62 of each pair, the pivotal connections being formed byvv pintles 70.` The hooksf654are'adaptedto-be swung outwardly beyond the surface of the cylinderbody 20-sol asto engage the pockets 24' at' the ends of the plates f opposite from the endsenga-ged' by theregisteringhooks 33. In this instance, four ofA theA take-.up hooks 65. are provided'for each plate 22. f Each ofthe shafts 601 supports. the hooks 65 for two. ofthe plates. y

lAdjacent certain ofthelugsA 62; each' shaft 6 0is: provided withplate-liftingiears. 64'` (Figs, 1f3)" whichrserve to lift the plates away vfrom the surface ofthe cylinder body Q2ll-whenthetshafts.6:0 are1 rotated a clockwise" direction, as shown in Fig. 5. provided for each plate.

Each of the illustrated take-up hooks 65 is provided with a wide, plate-engaging portion 66 (Fig. 7) as well as an apertured lug 67 adapted to be pivoted between the lugs 62 on the shaft. Formed on each hook 65 is a bearer portion 69 to which spring pressure may be applied. In this instance each shaft 60 is provided with a plurality of spring sockets 72 (Fig. 5) arranged in pairs adjacent each hook 65. Two coil springs 73 and 74 are seated in each spring socket, the spring 74 being disposed within the spring 73. A spring cover plate 75 is interposed between the bearer portion 69 of each hook 65 and two adjacent pairs of the springs I73 and 74 (Fig. 2). In this way each hook 65 is individually biased in one direction (clockwise in Fig. 3, counterclockwise as shown in Fig. 5).

Formed on the lug 67 of each hook 65 is a stop portion 68 (Fig. 3) adapted to engage one of a plurality of flat surfaces 77 formed on eachshaft 60 between the respective lugs 62 of each pair. The engagement of the stop elements 68 and 77 limits the angular movement of each hook in one direction (clockwise in Fig. 3) relative to the corresponding shaft 60. In this way the springs 73 Two such ears 64 are p and 74 may be preloaded to a considerable extent.

Provision is made for rotating the shafts 60 so that the hooks 65 may be moved between operative and inoperative positions. Rotating the shafts in one direction (counterclockwise in Fig. 5) will iirst bring the hooks 55 into engagement with the pockets 24 and then will cause the hooks to swing on their pivots relative to the shaft so as to `compress the springs 73 and 74. The tensioning force thereafter exerted by the springs will be more than enough to secure the plate to the cylinder at its maximum operating speed, yet not enough to overstress the plate. Rotation of the shaft in the reverse direction (clockwise in Fig. 5) will withdraw the hooks from the plates and move the plate-lifting ears 64 against the ends of the plates so that the plates will be lifted slightly from the surface of the cylinder.

In this instance the means for rotating the shafts 60 comprises respective arms 85 (Fig. 8) having splined connections 84 with the shafts. Connected to each arm is a link 86 which is pivoted to a disc 87 mounted on a worm gear 88. Meshing with each worm gear 88 is a worm 89 which is journaled in the cylinder body 20 on anti-friction bearings 90. A plate 91 is provided to retain each worm in the cylinder.

In this instance a single full revolution of each Worm 89 will elfect movement of the corresponding shaft 60 between fully unlocked and fully locked positions. In Fig. 5, one plate is shown in fully locked position and another is shown in fully unlocked position.

Means is provided to insure that each worm will be moved fully either into unlocked or locked position. In the illustrated embodiment, each worm 89 has a square end portion 93 fitted with a socketed operating member 94. The socketed member 94 -is adapted to receive a removable, square-ended wrench 95 (Fig. 9) having recesses or dimples 97 in its respective end faces. Each of `the socketed members is provided a radially movable pin 96 adapted to be pushed outwardly by the head of the Wrench 95 when -the latter is inserted into the member 94. The pin will thereby push back a movable plunger 98 in opposition to the force of a spring 99 so as to allow `the socketed member 94 to rotate. When the socketed member is rotated away from either its fully locked or fully unlocked position, the wrench will be locked in the socket by means of a pin 97 adapted to iengage any one of the dimples 97. In the fully locked or fully unlocked position of the worm, the pin 97 may be moved outwardly into a recess 99. Thus, the wrench may be removed only when the shaft 60 is fully locked or fully unlocked.

A, In `orderto `facilitate the positioning `of the .plates 22 on the cylinder, a plurality ofstop pins 10G/and 101 (Figs. l and 8) are mounted on the cylinder body 20, one pin being provided at each end of each plate in position to engage one curved edge of the plate and thus to locate the plate longitudinally along the cylinder.

Although the operation of the plate cylinder will now be apparent, it may be helpful to review the steps involved in installing and removing plates from the cylinder. When plates yare to tbe installed, the shafts 60 are moved to their fully unlocked positions as shown at the left in Fig. 5. Each plate is positioned with one of its straight edges against one of the stop bars 25 and its other straight edge lagainst the plateelifting ears 64. The appropriate worm 39 is then rotated so as to withdraw the lifting ears 64 and thus lower the plates into engagement with the surface of -the cylinder body 20. Then the plates may be moved manually along the cylinder in a longitudinal direction until they engage the stop pins 100 and 101.

. Each plate may .be registered by rotating one of the pinions 46. This operation will slide the corresponding actuating rod 44 longitudinally. If .the actuating bar is moved in one direction (to the left in Fig. l1), the wedges 45 will cam the hook bars 2'7 circumferentially, against the `biasing force of the springs 48. Moving the actuating rod 44 in the opposite direction Iwill allow :the springs 40 `to move the hook ybars 27 in the opposite direction. The actuating rods 44 may be locked in adjusted positions by tightening down the locking screws Si).

When Ithe plates have been registered, they may be locked up by rotating the worms 89 so as to swing the shafts 60 to .their fully locked positions, as shown on the right in Fig. 5. This will advance the hooks 65 against the pockets 24 and then cause separation of the stop elements 68 and 77 and compression of the springs 73 and 74. The individual, resilient 'take-up action of ythe hooks 65' will compensate for any variation in the positioning of the pockets 24 and will insure a uniform application of tensioning force to the plate.

If further registering adjustment .of any plate is required, the shaft 68 for that plate may be rotated toward its unlocked positon a suflicient distance to relieve the plate of tension. The hook bars 27 for that plate may then be moved an appropriate amount by rotating one of the pinions 46 and thereby moving the corresponding actuating rod 44. The proper amount of adjustment may be obtained by referring to the scale 5.2..

The plates may be removed by rotating each shaft 60 in turn to its fully unlocked position, thereby withdrawing all of the hooks 65 from the plates. It will be understood that rotating each of the shafts` 68 will unlock two ofthe plates on one side of the cylinder simultaneously. The plates will tbe lifted away from `the surface of the cylinder by the ears 64 so that the plates may readily be removed from the cylinder.

Figs. l6-l9 illustrate amodiiied printing cylinder which constitutes a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In many respects, the second em-bodiment may be the same as the iirst embodiment, and insofar as the two embodiments make use of duplicate parts, the same reference characters are employed in Figs. 16419 as in Figs. l-l5. It will be noted, for example, that the second embodiment employs the same type of plate registering mechanism as the iirst embodiment.

. In the modied embodiment of Figs. 16-19, provision is made for resiliently applying circumferential tension to the printing plates 22. As illustrated, the plate-tensioning mechanism comprises a plurality of plate locking take-up hooks having body portions 16541 and hook members or portions 166 adapted to engage the pockets 24 in the plates 22. The modified plate cylinder of Figs. 16-19 may have the same number of hooks as the rst embodiment, and the hooks may be spaced along the cylinder in a similar manner. i

Provision ismade for .pivoting seach of the 1hooks on an individual spring mounting'irn'eans .In instance each fof the fhooks :is pivoted -on an individual shaft for pivot 200 vwhich extends longitudinally 'of :the cylinder and is slidable in a :generally circumferential ldirection along va slot '202 formed in a filler piece or cap 155 `rigidly secured to the cylinder body r20. The cap 1-55 is made as a separate Vpiece for convenience in :manulfactoring and `assembling the cylinder, and, generally speaking, may fbeconsidered as part -of the cylinder vbody .120. rPhe pivot shafts 200 may engage :the tbody portions Y '1165a -of the hooks at points 4spaced inwardlyk from 'the 173 and 174 tends to urge one yof the pivot 'shafts 200 .against Yone end of the corresponding slot 202, which 4limits lthe movement of [the 4shaft 200` and the-'coaeting lhook 165, so that `the springs may be .preloaded Preloading the springs results in substantial uniformity in the application of lspring pressure to .the various lpockets 24, even though the pockets'rnay befappreciablylmisalined with one another.

In lorder to lift the plates22 away from Sth'esurface of the cylinder body so that .they may readily vbe grasped and `removed from the vcylinder, the hooks 1'65are -provided with plate-lifting ear portions 164 `positionedfin opposed, circumferentially spaced relation to lthehook portions 166. The Years 164 are adapted to befswung Outwardly against the Vends of the plates when the hooks are rocked on the pivotrsha'fts y200 into the position shown in fFig. 19.

Provision is .made for `advan'cingfaud retractin'g the hooks -165 into and out Vof tensioning relation with the pla-tes 22. This is accomplished in the present instance by meansincluding an actuating shaft 160-which may be `operated Yby amechanismY similar to that employed Jin the .first embodiment. The locked fand unlocked positions of the yshaft fare vshown in Figs. 16 and l9'respe'ctive1y. VTEormedfon the shaft are spaced pairs of lugs 162 which are pivotally connected to respective links 186. "The latterare connected to the hooks 165'by `rneansof-floating or movable pivots'1-85a which-engage inwardly extending arm vportions 185 'of the hooks 165. Thus, the pivots 185a and 209 engage the hooks `at spaced points.

When plates are l'to be Vinstalled on the cyl-inderof Figs. l6-l9, Vthe shaft 160 is rotated yso as to move vthe hooks 1:65 into their unlocking position, shown in--Fig. 1'9. Each plate 22 may then be placed -on the `cylinder with its opposite longitudinal ends against the `ears 164 and one of the bars 25, respectively. To lock up or clamp the plates on lthe cylinder, the shaft .160 may be Vrotated ina clockwise direction so as to move the pivots 18511 a generally circumferential direction and thereby swing the hooks 165 ina counterclockwise direction von the pivot shafts 200. As a result of such movement of the hooks, the plate-lifting ears 164 will -be withdrawn below 'the surface of the cylinder andthe plates v22 will thereby be lowered intoy engagement with the cylinder. Further movement of the -hooks 165 will bring the hook portions 166 into engagement with the packets 24 in the plate`s"22. During the remainder ofthe locking movement Iof the lshaft 160, *each -of the hooks 2165 will rock about the point jof engagement between its hook portion v'16'6 V'and the plate `22. Asa result, -`the floating vpivot shaft 2200 -will be moved circumferentially in such a r'direction `as 'to compress the springs173 'and .174. The force'of the springs acting on the hooks l-165 lwill serve to tension fea'chfof 'rohe plates .22. Because' or the lind/iinua'lfaction of the hooks 165, substantially 'equalrl ensioningfforce's wil'lvbeapplied 'tto each of 'the 'pockets 24, even though .therefmay be slight variations inthe relative positions of the pockets. rvIhe springs .173 `and 174 will takeup any elongationof thefplate which may occur duringfa printing run -and thus will prevent the plates Sfroin becoming .loosenedfon'the cylinder.

"Whiletheiinventionis susceptible of various modifica- Vtionsfand alternative constructions, the preferred 4emvbodinfients l'are shown in the drawings and described in detail, but it is Sto lbe understood that lit isk not Vthereby intended-tollimit the invention to the forms disclosed, :but -it 'issintended 'to cover 'all equivalents, I:modifications and alternative constructions .falling within `the spirit and scope 'of Athe 'invention as expressed in the appended claims.

.-Ik claim:

il. `In la lplate cylinder :for `tensioning printingplates having pockets in their undersides A"adjacent their longitudinal edges, the combination .comprising an elongated cylindrical =body `for receiving a plurality of printing'plates in generally-alinedrelation longitudinallyfof said cylinder, a plurality `of hooks respectively engageable with lthe pockets at "one :edge of Vthe alined Iplates, rne'ans -for mounting :said Ahooks on said body-.ingenerally alined relation longitudinally 'ofe'said Ibody for movement 'in a generally circumferential direction Vrelative to said body, .fa :plurality or" generally longitudinalrods extending respectively lf-rom one vend fof said tbody to said hooks, .a plurality of earns respectively coupled to said 'rods for individual-ly adjusting the :hooks associated `with a, given plate linla .generally circumferential Adirection and thereby individually registering fthe plates, ka 'plurality of V'take-up yhooks movable circumferentially on Isaid cylindrical'body andengageable with the pockets `at ythe other edges of `the generally alined plates, respective preloaded 'springs Yint'erpos'edb'etween said Ycylinder :and said vtake-up .hooks for urging the latter 7against fthe Aplates Yin a plate-tensi'oning direction, and means including a shaftand a llink connection therefrom `toeach of said Vtakeup hooks for withdrawing 'said take-up 'hooks simultaneously fromfthe plates.

`2. :In'a plate cylinder for tensioning printing plates having lpockets Vin their undersides adjacent their Alongitudinal edges,rthe combination -comprisingan elongated cylindrical fbodyifo'r receiving `a pluralityiof printing plates ingenerally alined relation long-itudinallyfof saidbdy, said body having a longitudinal slot Tin litsiperiphery, -a pluralityof longitudinally spaced generally aligned :clamping -bar's disposed in said slot and movable th'e'rein'in la generally circumferential Vdirection rel'a't-iv'e vvto 's'ai'd body, said bars :having y'outwardly 'projecting hooks for engaging the pockets atoneiedge of the 2respective generally alined .plate's,a plurality of rods disposed'in 'side-by-side relation in said -slot for longitudinal kmovement therein, a plurality of-cams respectively mounted on said 'rods and vrespectively -engageable with said 'bars vfor adjusting Vthe bars circumferentially vof the body `inlresponse to longitudinal movement of said Vrods 'and `thereby'individually `registering l'the .generally `alined plates, a plurality of take-up hooks movable individually in a generally circumferential direction 'on Vsaid `cylindrical body and engageable with the pockets :at lthe r'opposite edge of the respective plates, a pluralityof springs'respectively interposed between said cylindrical body 'and said take-up vhooks for biasing Lthe latter in 'a plate-tensioning direction, andrneans including a conm-ion sha-ft and la link connection therefrom to each of said take-up hooks 4for 'withdrawing the latter simultaneously from the plates.

v3.V In vanplate cylinder for tensioning printing plates having pockets :in their-undersides adjacent' their longitudinal edges, the combination vcon"1pri'sing an elongated cylindrical body for 'receiving a plralityof printing plates in generally alined relationlongitudinally of 'said b'o'dy, s'ad body h'aving za longitudinal slotlin its `pe1iphery, a

plurality of longitudinally spaced generally alined clamping bars disposed in said slot and movable therein in a generally circumeferential direction relative to said body, said bars having outwardly projecting hooks for engaging the pockets at one edge of the generally alined plates, a plurality of rods disposed in side-by-side relation in said slot for longitudinal movement therein, a plurality of cams mounted on each of said rods and respectively engageable with corresponding ones of said bars, and adjustable means accessible at one end of said cylinder body for longitudinally positioning the rods so that the bars are adjusted circumferentially of the body thereby individually registering the generally aligned plates.

4. In a plate cylinder for tensioning printing plates having pockets in their undersides adjacent their longitudinal edges, the combination comprising a cylindrical body for receiving a plurality of printing plates in generally aligned ,relation longitudinally of said body, said body having a longitudinal slot in its periphery, a plurality of longitudinally spaced generally alined hooks movable generally in a circumferential direction in said slot and engageable with the pockets at one edge of the respective alined plates, a plurality of rods disposed in side by side relation in said slot underneath said hooks and extending from one end` of said body to said hooks respectively, and respective cams on said rods and engageable with said hooks for individually registering the generally alined plates.

5. In a plate cylinder for tensioning printing plates having a plurality of pockets in their undersides adjacent to and spaced along their longitudinal edges, the combination comprising an elongated cylindrical body for receiving a plurality of plates in generally alined relation longitudinally of the cylinder, said body having a longitudinal T-shaped slot in its periphery, a plurality of longitudinally disposed generally alined bars positioned in lsaid slot and movable transversely therein in a generally circumferential direction relative to said cylinder, each of said bars having only two hooks spaced therealong and engageable with the pockets at one edge of the alined plates, said body having a longitudinal groove formed in the bottom of said T-shaped slot, a plurality of rods disposed in said longitudinal groove underneath said bars, each of said rods having an outer end extending to one end of said body and an inner end extending to one of said bars, and respective wedges mounted on said inner ends Vof said rods and engageable with said bars for moving said bars circumferentially in response to longitudinal movement of said rods, and means forming a rounded contact surface between said wedges and respective ones of said bars so that the latter may swivelably lioat to aline the hooks thereon for direct pull against the walls of the plate pockets.

6. In a plate cylinder for holding cylindrically curved printing plates under tension applied to pockets in the undersides of the plates adjacent their longitudinal edges, the combination comprising an elongated cylindrical body for receiving a plurality ofV plates in generally alined relation longitudinally of said body, saidbody having a longitudinal T-shaped slot in its periphery, a plurality of longitudinally disposed generally alined bars positioned in said slot and movable transversely therein in a generally circumferential direction relative to said cylindrical body, said bars having hooks engageable with the pockets in one end of the respective plates, said body having a longitudinal groove formed in the bottom of said T-shaped slot, a plurality of rods disposed in side-by-side relation in said longitudinal groove underneath said bars, each of said rods having an outer end extending to one end of said cylinder and an inner end extending to one of said bars, each of said bars having a longitudinal recess overlying said longitudinal groove in said cylindrical body, a plurality of wedges mounted respectively on saidinner ends of said rods and disposed in said recesses for moving said bars circumferentially in response to longitudinal movement of said rods, a plurality of cam members respectively mounted on said bars in saidl recesses for engaging said wedges, each of said rods having a rack formed on its outer end, a plurality of pinions on said cylinder and respectively engaging said racks for adjusting said rods, and scale means on said cylinder adjacent said rods for gauging the extent of circumferential adjustment of said bars.

7. In a plate cylinder for tensioning, and thereby holding, a printing plate having a plurality of generally alined spaced pockets in its underside adjacent each of its longitudinal edges, the combination comprising a cylindrical body for receiving the printing plate, a linger bar having a plurality of lingers spaced'therealong for engaging respective ones of the spaced pockets along one edge of the plate, means for mounting the linger bar for broadwise circumferential movement in said cylinder while permitting swiveling of the linger bar through a limited range, a manually adjustable rod mounted longitudinally in said cylinder adjacent said linger bar, means providing a single set of camming surfaces interposed between the rod and the linger bar so that the linger bar is urged circumferentially incident to longitudinal movement of the rod, and means forming said camming surfaces so as to permit swiveling movement between them so that the finger bar is free to automatically assume a position in alinement with the pockets on said plate.

8. In a plate cylinder for tensioning, and thereby holding, a printing plate having a plurality of pockets in its underside adjacent its longitudinal edges, the combination comprising a cylindrical body for receiving the printing plate, a linger bar having a plurality of lingers spaced therealong fo'r engaging respective ones of the spaced pockets along one edge of the plate, means for mounting the linger bar `for broadwise circumferential movement in said cylinder while permitting swiveling of the linger bar through a limited range, a longitudinal adjusting rod mounted in said cylinder adjacent said linger bar, means adjacent the end of said body for manually adjusting the position of: the adjusting rod, means forming a single connection to said bar,I said last-named means including a pair of camming surfaces interposed between the rod and the linger bar so that the linger bar is urged circumferentially incident to longitudinal movement of the rod, at least one of said camming surfaces being curved to permit swiveling movement between them so that the linger bar is free to automatically assume a position in alinement with the pockets on said plate.

9. In a plate cylinder for tensioning, and thereby holding, a printing plate having a plurality of generally alined pockets in its underside adjacent and spaced along each of its longitudinal edges, the combination comprising a cylindrical body for receiving the printing plate, a plurality of linger bars arranged end to endl in said cylinder and each having a plurality of outwardly extending lingers for engaging said pockets, a longitudinal adjusting rod in` said cylinder arranged adjacent said linger bars, means for mounting said linger bars for individual broadwise circumferential movement on said cylindrical body while permitting individual swiveling movement thereof, said rod carrying individual cam operators for circumferentially pressing against individual ones of said linger bars, the area of Contact between said individual cam operators and respective ones of said linger bars having at least one curved surface for permitting relative swiveling movement between the linger bars and the adjusting rod so that each linger bar is free to automatically assume an alined fully-seated position relative to the pockets which it engages incident to reactive force from the plate. 10. In a plate cylinder for tensioning, and thereby holding, a plurality of printing plates each having a plurality of pockets in" their undersides adjacent and spaced along each of their longitudinal` edges, the combination comprising a cylindrical body for receiving the printing plates `side by side, a plurality of linger bars arranged end to1end in said'cylin'der and each having a plurality of outwardly extendingy fingersfspaced Atherealong forengaging saidispaced pockets, there being at least two nger bars for each plate means for mounting said finger bars for individual broadwise' circumferential movement :on the cylinder While permitting individualswiveling movement, a plurality of rods longitudinally arranged side by side in said cylinder and closely adjacent'said finger bars and extending to one end of said cylinder, there being one rod for each plate, manual'adjus'tors at the end of the cylinder for positioning the rods, said rods each carrying at least two vcam operators for circumferentially pressing against those ones of said finger bars which engage the pockets in one of said plates, said individual cam operators being so kformed as to permit relative swiveling movement between the linger bars and the adjusting rods so that the finger bars are free to automatically assume alined fullyseated positions relative to the pockets in the plates incident to reactive force from the plates.

11.7111 a plate cylinder for holding a cylindrically curved printing plate having a plurality of spaced pockets in the underside of its leading and trailing edges, the combination comprising a cylinder having first and second longitudinal slots in its surface, a plurality of longitudinally spaced generally alined finger bars disposed in said first slot and having outwardly extending fingers spaced therealong and engageable in the spaced pockets at one end of the plate, said bars being undersize withirespect to said first `slot and movable therein individually in a direction generally circumferentially of said Cylinder and to swiveled positions, means including a rod axially movable in said first slot and having cam means thereon for shifting respective ones of .said bars to engage their fingers against thepockets of the plate while permitting the bars to swivel if the pockets are misalined, a plurality of pivot members, means mounting said pivot members in axially spaced-relation in the second slot of the cylinder with freedom to shift in generally circumferential directions, a plurality of take-up hoolsseach mounted for rocking on one of said pivot members and having a hook portion engageable with the plate in the Pockets at its other edge, resilient means inter-posed between said cylinder and said pivot members for individually urging the latter in a first circumferential direction, a common actuator shaft disposedraxiallyin said second slot, and link means pivotally connected between said shaft and respective ones of Vsaid hooks at points spaced yfrom the respective pivot members so thatrotation of, said shaft first rocks the hooks about said pivot members to engage therhook portions in the plate pockets and'then shifts said pivot members against the respective spring means to cause biasing of the hook portions againstthe plate notwithstanding misalinement .of the plate pockets. Y

l2. In a plate cylinder for holding cylindrically curved printing plates under circumferential tension applied Vvto pockets in their undersides adjacent theirjlongitudnal edges, a tension lock-up arrangement, comprising, -in

combination, a plurality of pivots and means mounting the same in axially spaced relation in said cylinder with freedom for movement in ra generally circumferential direction, a plurality of hooks mounted for rocking motion on respective ones of said pivots and adapted to engage the pockets in one end of a printing plate,` a plurality of resilient means connected Vrespectively between said pivots and said cylinder for biasing said pivots-in one direction circumferentially of said cylinder, and actuating means engaging said hooks at pointsirspa'ced from said pivots for rocking said hooks about. said pivots into engagement with the plate thereby lmoving said pivots against the biasing action of said resilient meansiso that said hooks will 'be resiliently urged into :tensioning engagement with said plate. 4

13. In -a plate cylinder for holding cylindrically .curved printing plates having pockets in their lundersides adjacent-their longitudinal edges, .the eembinetien connaising e cylinder, anlurality .ef pivots mounted in axially Spaced'relation in 'said cylinder and movable relative ,t9 the letterin a generally Cireumferential direetien, e Blilrality of hooks s upportedfor rocking movement on respective ones of said pivots and-engageablc with the pockets in one end of the printing plate, resilient means for individually biasing respectiveones ofsaid pivots generally4 circumferentiallyof said cylinder in ay direction tending to bodily move said hooks into engagement withY the plate pockets, and actuating means operative ofi-said hooks atV points spaced from the respective pivots for rocking said hooks about said pivots into engagement with the plate andthen swinging said hooks an additional amount to move said pivots bodily against the-biasing actionofsaid resilient means so that the latter resiliently urge the hooks into tensioning engagement with the plate.

V14. In aplate cylinder for holding Aa cylindrically curved printingjplate under circumferential tension applied to pockets in its underside adjacent its longitudinal edges, the combination comprising va cylinder, a vplurality of take-up hooks spaced axially along said cylinder for engaging the pockets adjacent o ne longitudinal edge of the plate, each of said hooks having Vfirst and 'second supporting pivots, means mounting said first pivots with freedom to move in said cylinder Ain a generally circunfferential direction, respective resilient means foreindividf ually biasing each of said first pivots in one generally circumferential direction, common actuating means for moving each of saidsecond pivots in the oppositecir: cumferential directionfor swinging said hooks .about said first pivots into engagement with the plate and then swinging said hooks about the point of engagementbetween said hooks and the plate to move said .first pivots against lthe biasing action of said resilicntrneans so thatthe latter will resiliently urge the hooks into tensioning engagement with the plate notwithstanding misalinement of the plate pockets. v

l5. Ina plate cylinder for holding cylindrically curved printing plates under circumferential tension applied to pockets in the undersides of theplates adjacent their longitudinal edges, a tension lock-up arrangement, comprising, in combination, `a plurality of hooks having respective body portionsl and plate engaging portions, said body portions lbeing positioned in said cylinder, said plate engaging portions being adaptedto extend-outwardly Qf. said cylinder for engagement with the pocketslin one end of a printing plate, aplurality of pivotsfextending longitudinally fof'said Acylinder andrespectively supporting said hooks at points .O n -said body portions, meanssupporting said pivots for ytranslatory movement in said cylinder in a generally circumferential direction, a plurality of springs connected between said cylinder and Ysaid pivotsrespectively for biasing said pivots circumferentially of said cylinder Vin a directiontending ,to engage saidhooks with the plates, rneans foriirniting the/movement ofthe pivotS under the biasing action of said springs, an actuating shaftjournaled in said cylinder and extending longitudinally thereof adjacent said hooks, said shaft having a plurality of radially projecting lugs `oppositesaid hooks, and respective llinks connected between saidlugs and said hooks, .said Vlinlgs being connected to said V-body portions ofY said hoolgs at points spacedinwardlyof said pivots so `that rotation of said shaft inone directionfirst rocks saidhooks about said pivots to cause :said plate engaging. portions of saidk hooksto engage the plate and then rocks said hooks .abouttheppoint of engagement between said plate engaging portions and the plateso'as to move said piyots against'the biasing actionof said springs and thereby resiliently tension Ethe plate, p f

16. In .a platecylinderffor tensioning -and Athereby holding a 4 printing plate .having pockets in fits under.- Side .adjacent and spaced along its .101,1sitiidine1 edges `tlie combination comprising aeylindrieel bedy-forreeeiv ing the` printing plate, a bar having e r rl11ral;ity .of-:hoeks spaced therealong and engageable with the respective spaced pockets at one edge of the plate, means mounting said bar in said body for circumferential movement while permitting the bar to swivel through a small angle, a rod disposed on and movable longitudinally relative to said cylindrical body, means forming a single connection to said bar for moving the latter circumferentially of the body, said last means including a cam on said rod engageable with said bar or moving the latter and the hooks thereon circumferentlariy of the cylindrical body in response to longitudinal movement of said rod, one of the coengaging surfaces on said cam and bar being rounded, and means for eiecting endwise adjustment of said rod to circumferentially position said bar and hooks on said cylindrical body.

17. In -a cylinder for holding printing plates under tension, such plates having at least two spaced apart pockets cut in the underside of their leading and trailing edges, registering means comprising in combination a pair of register hooks, means mounting said hooks spaced apart in said cylinder to engage two pockets in one edge of a plate, said mounting means including means affording movement of said hooks dilerentially and in unison in a substantially circumferential direction relative to said cylinder, a movable member in said cylinder and means for adjusting the position thereof, and means forming a single pivotal connection between said movable member and Said two hooks for shifting the latter in unison circumferentially of the cylinder, said pivotal connection having a pivot 'axis which is disposed substantially along a radial line of the cylinder so that said hooks automatically swivel relative to one another to firmly engage plate pockets which :are not alined parallel to the axis of the cylinder.

18. In a printngcylinder adapted to hold a curved stereotype printing plate under tension, such plate having at yleast two spaced apart pockets cut in the underside of one edge which is disposed on the cylinder generally parallel to the cylinder axis, registering means comprising, in combination, a pair of register hooks, means mounting said hooks on the cylinder spaced apart longitudinally of the cylinder to engage two pockets in the printing plate, said mounting means including means aiording freedom for said hooks to move in a direction substantially circumferentially of the cylinder, a movable member, manually operable means for adjusting said movable member to different positions within its range of movement, means interconnecting said movable member and said two hooks for shifting the latter circumferentially of the cylinder in response to operation of said adjusting means, said interconnecting means including a single pivot connection between said movable member and said two hooks, said pivot connection being disposed intermediate said two hooks and having an axis disposed substantially radially of the cylinder so that said hooks Kautomatically swivel differentially into rm engagement with two respective plate pockets which are not alined parallel to the cylinder axis.

19. In a cylinder for holding a curved stereotype printing plate under tension, `said plate having four spaced apart pockets cut in the underside of one edge which -is disposed on the cylinder generally parallel to the cylinder axis, registering means comprising, in combination, two pairs of registering hooks, means mounting said registering hooks spaced apart longitudinally of the cylinder with each pair of hooks disposed to engage in respective pairs of adjacent plate pockets, said mounting means including means affording freedom for said hooks to move in a direction substantially circumferentially of the cylinder, two movable members, means for adjusting the positions of said two movable members, means interconnecting said two movable members respectively and exclusively with said two pairs of hooks for shifting such pairs of hooks circumferentially of the cylinder according to the positions of the two movable members, said interconnecting means including means forming a single pivot connection between each said movable member and the corresponding pair of hooks, said pivot connections each being spaced apart longitudinally of the cylinder and disposed intermediate the corresponding pair of hooks and defining a pivot 4axis disposed substantially radially of the cylinder, so that the individual hooks in each said pair automatically swivel relative to one another into iirm engagement with the corresponding plate pockets even though such pockets are misalined relative to a line parallel to the cylinder axis.

20. In a cylinder for holding printing plates under tension, such plates having at least two spaced apart pockets cut in the underside of their leading and trailing edges, registering means comprising in combination a pair of register hooks having plate-engaging hook tips, means for mounting said hooks spaced apart on said cylinder to engage two respective pockets in one edge of a plate, said mounting means including means affording movement of said hook tips differentially and in unison in a substantially circumferential direction relative to said cylinder, a movable member and means for mounting it on said cylinder, means for adjusting the position of said member and holding .it in adjusted position, and means interconnecting said movable member and said two hooks to shift the latter in response to adjustments in the position of the former, said lastnamed means including means forming a force-transmitting pivot connection for affording differential movements of said hooks so that said hook tips rmly engage in plate pockets which are not alined parallel to the axis of the cylinder.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 988,559 Evensen Apr. 4, 1911 1,858,305 Meisel et al May 17, 1932 2,047,364 Foster July 14, 1936 2,236,230 Worthington Mar. 25, 1941 2,428,263 Crafts et a1. Sept. 30, 1947 2,639,668 Chase et al. n May 26, 1953 

